Warm and dry for two days

We are not experiencing the major drought conditions that exist on the leeward side of the island as well as portions of the southern coastal areas of Ka'u and South Kona on up to the lee portions of North Kona and Kohala but our rainfall here in Hilo is quite a bit below normal but our total number of days with rain in any amount is higher since January 1.

Thus the windward/east side of Hawai'i Island remains quite green while most of the rest has turn to desert brown.

As is true on the mainland, cattle ranchers are now culling their herds as there is not enough living grasses for them to feed upon and importation of grain is so expensive that it is not an option at this point in time.

Food prices here, as most everywhere in the continental US,are rising at a pace that is not 'officially' reported. Along with that the US$ is declining in value which means that a significant period of what is called 'belt tightening' is in store for almost everyone save for the very wealthy population which only represents about 2% of the total.

Most of this is due to this current period of climate change which may be short-lived but I would not hold my breath or count my blessings before I get them.